drew, and my uncle had
retired, with an intention of visiting me next morning, I made up a
bundle of some linen and other necessaries; and, bidding Strap carry
them to Mr. Melopoyn's lodgings, went thither myself, and pressed it
upon his acceptance, with five guineas, which, with much difficulty, he
received, assuring me at the same time, that he should never have it in
his power to make satisfaction. I then asked if I could serve him in any
other way; to which he answered, "You have already done too much;" and,
unable to contain the emotions of his soul any longer, burst into tears,
and wept aloud. Moved at this spectacle, I left him to his repose, and,
when my uncle returned in the morning, represented his character in
such a favourable light, that the honest seaman was affected with his
distress, and determined to follow my example, in presenting him with
five pieces more; upon which, that I might save him some confusion, I
advised Mr. Bowling to inclose it in a letter to be delivered by Strap,
after we should be gone.

This was accordingly done. I took a formal leave of all my acquaintance
in the gaol; and, just as I was about to step into a hackney coach at
the gate, Jackson calling me, I returned, and he asked me in a whisper,
if I could lend him a shilling! His demand being so moderate, and in all
likelihood the last he would make upon me, I slipped a guinea into his
hand, which he no sooner perceived, than he cried, "O Jesus, a guinea!"
then laying hold of a button of my coat, broke out into laughter; and
when his immoderate fit of convulsion was ended, told me I was an
honest fellow, and let me go. The coachman was ordered to drive to Mr.
Bowling's lodgings, where, when we arrived, he entered into a serious
discourse with me, on the subject of my situation, and proposed that I
should sail with him in quality of his surgeon; in which case he
would put me in a method of getting a fortune in a few years by my own
industry; and assured me, that I might expect to inherit all that he
should die possessed of, provided I should survive him. Though I was
penetrated with a sense of his generosity, l was startled at a proposal
that offered violence to my love, and signified my sentiments on that
head, which he did not seem to relish; but observed that love was the
fruit of idleness, that when once I should be employed in business, and
my mind engaged in making money, I should be no more troubled with
these silly notions,